Photos by Leigh Downey
The two Botetourt County high school softball teams met on the diamond at the Botetourt Sports Complex at Greenfield Park Monday and Lord Botetourt came away victorious. After being shut out on three hits for five innings by James River pitcher Makenna Saville, Lord Botetourt erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win going away, 9-1.
Prior to the sixth inning rally the Knights had just taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning on a two-out single by Keira Crawford, scoring Caitlyn Downey. Downey had walked with one out and stole second and third base.
Emily Rogers led off the bottom of the sixth inning by beating out a bunt. Gracie Sargent then tripled to right field, scoring Rogers to tie the game. After a pitching change, Olivia Pierce singled down the left field line scoring Sargent with the eventual winning run. Phoenix Humphrey followed with a two-run home run to seal the win but that did not slow down the Cavaliers. Four hits, three Knight errors, and two more pitching changes later, the final score was set.
“After I made a pitching change, and the go-ahead run scored from third base, the wind went out of our sails,” said River coach Steve Austin. “It didn’t take much to wake them up. The whole thing started with a really good bunt that we were expecting but couldn’t quite get the out on.”
Cavalier starter Olivia Pierce was dominant, allowing only two hits, while striking out 11 and walking three.
“Olivia Pierce was absolutely lights out in the circle,” said LB coach Megan Cook. “She had a phenomenal performance.”
Photo by John Wacher
Sargent led the Botetourt offense with three hits in four at bats and two RBIs. Phoenix Humphries also had two RBIs along with the home run and Callie Shuler collected two hits in three at bats.
“We played pretty much a perfect game for five and a half innings and I’m proud of the position we put ourselves in with our pitching, defense, and Keira’s clutch hit,” said Austin. “Credit to the Cavaliers for responding to our go-ahead score and decisively putting us away.”
Lord Botetourt improved to 6-5 with the win. Last Wednesday the Cavaliers lost a tough battle against Cave Spring, 3-2 in eight innings.
“We stayed in it until the very end after a home run by Phoenix Humphries tied the score,” said Cook. “We were unable to get another run across, and unfortunately it did not end in our favor.”
On Friday, LB beat Northside, 10-9, after a huge offensive game performance by Abby Perkey, who drove in five runs, including a home run in the seventh inning. The Cavaliers collected 16 hits in the game with Callie Kidd having three hits in four at bats, Gianna Pitzer, Maggie Sarver, Gracie Sargent, and Mackenzie Nichols all having multiple hits. Phoenix Humphries earned the win in the circle with seven strikeouts.
James River fell to 9-3 with the loss and the Knights are 4-1 in the Three Rivers District after a big week last week. Playing their fourth game in four weekdays, James River picked up a six-inning, 12-2 victory, over Patrick Henry on Wednesday of last week. Sydnee Breeding led the Knights with three hits, including two doubles, three runs, and two RBIs. Makenna Saville pitched three innings to gain the victory.
Last Friday, River finished up a four-game home stand with a 7-5 win over Carroll County in Springwood. After a scoreless top of the first inning the Knights used singles by Downey, Breeding, and Kaylee Harlow to craft a 2-0 lead.
James River worked out of a jam in the top of the second inning and went to work again on their half. After a leadoff walk by Laken Robinson, the Knights executed three consecutive bunts by Karly Mines, Andi Kreklow, and Downey to plate two more runs. A two-out double by Crawford off of the left field fence provided a third run in the second inning putting River up 5-0 and the Knights led the rest of the way. Saville pitched 4-2/3 innings to gain the pitching victory, her sixth of the season. She struck out one, walked one, and allowed four hits. The one run she gave up was unearned.
“We came out ready to play and jumped out to a comfortable lead, which was the key to getting this win,” said Austin. “We were able to beat three higher division teams during the week which helped us in the points standings in the region. I was pleased that we played so steady during such an unusual, busy week.”
The Knights were scheduled to visit Radford Tuesday. LB was scheduled to play at Franklin County Tuesday with a non-district game at Christiansburg Thursday.
